Be a blessing

[Billy Cox]

I rarely have the opportunity to knowingly and intentionally bless someone's life, but today I had one of those.

I was visiting Bethany Calvary, the church I attended while in college and the church in which I was married. After the service an elderly gentlman shook my hand and introduced himself as Carl Madison. I thought that by chance he might be the same Carl Madison that around 1980 prayed with me at the altar in a Nazarene church elsewhere in Oklahoma City. I have for years considered that a pivotal moment in my Christian walk and Carl's part in it has been etched in my memory.

By the look on his face when I asked, I knew it was him and he confirmed that our paths had crossed many years ago. It was a small world moment, but I wanted him to know that he had also blessed my life in a signficant way, so I told him that I remember him praying with me at the altar.

I am confident that this morning, I returned at least some of the blessing that he has been to my life. Just seeing him again was a blessing to me.

[Gina Stevenson]

"Thank You for Giving to the Lord ..." the song from Ray Boltz, came to mind while reading this, Billy. I'm sure that he appreciated knowing that he'd been a blessing to you so long ago ... enough of one that you would remember him this many years later. ;)

[Anne and Dwayne Hood]

Billy, I know that was a wonderful and blessed time for you this morning.

And Gina, Dwayne sits and cries when someone sings, "Thank You For Giving to the Lord." His youngest sister planned her own funeral, knowing that she was going to die-at 46. One of her brothers sang that song.